This Summer, nine members of our faculty and staff are walking a route in Spain with sites related to the life of St. Ignatius. The following post by Mr. Matthew Ortiz ’08 is the fourth in a series of their reflections.
Today, we stepped forth as Ignacio did after his conversion as a person looking only for God to show His path in our lives. As we took our first steps outside of Saint Ignatius’s home the same excitement and nervousness filled me as I believe our seniors have as they step from one side of the stage to the other. We were beginning our journey as one person but the question remained who would we be as we crossed to the other side.
Our day began with mass and bread, as most days so far have. There is something to be said of the life we are living here. Simply and by the generosity of others. As we begin our trip we run into early problems, such as, where are we going and what do the directions we are supposed to be following say? As a graduate of Jesuit I know that these were early thoughts that crossed my mind as I crossed the stage at Southern Methodist University. Where was I going? College, sure but what was I to do of my time there? I had been filled by the basic principles of the people who’s charge I was left in. My parents, my teachers, and all others who helped guide me but who’s voice was I to follow now?
As we continued down the path we were surrounded by the beauty that is the Basque Country of northern Spain. We walked for hours with nothing but each other to give us strength as our feet began to hurt, our packs began to grow heavy, and as the rain began to pour on us. It reminds me of my brothers of the class of ’08. None of us perfect or without our burdens to carry but the fellowship we have still to this day gives me the fortitude to move forward with confidence, to continue into the unknown. As my steps continue the carry me across the stage, the walk seems more manageable and less like I’m alone in my journey.
As we reached the end of our first leg I drop my pack and sit in exhaustion as my feet ache and I wipe the edge my brow. I welcome my brothers and sisters in pilgrimage as they come to rest after a days worth of work. What we have accomplished is just the beginning but still no small feet. I imagine every senior has that moment. The moment when they sit in triumph of their accomplishment and begin to look forward to the future. We have closed the door on something special, a beginning that we will remember but also we begin a journey into something much greater that we can only begin to fathom.
I pray for our graduating seniors, those who carry great burdens, and ask that you pray for us as we continue our journey.
